Motor-truck.



C. E. F. AHLM & C'. E. COCHRAN.

MOTOR TRUCK.

LED JULY 22', 1912.

Patented Aug. 12, 19N.

3v SHEETS-SHEET l.

TUNE/770.7

@y m4 79m.; 5i?

C. E. B AHLM @L C. E. COCHRAN,

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1912.'

MOTOR TRUCK.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

o. E. F. AHLM @E C. E. COCHRAN.

MOTOR TRUCK. l

APPLICATION FILED JULY22.1912.

' lggl o Patente@ Aug. 12, 1913.

3 SHEETS*SHEET,3.

Vl/b mx( ad M @QW @MEW W w 794/5/ f77) a motor truck and the controller is automatically disconvelusive are perspective CHARLES E. F. AHLM- AND C TI'IE ELWELL-PARKER ELECTRIC COMPANY- OF AMERICA, OF, CLEVELAND, OHIO, A..

CORPORATION OF `WESTl VIRGINIA.

CLEVELAND7 OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO MOTOR-TRUCK.

Application filed July 22, 1912. Serial No. 710,890.

T all 1li/tom, 'it may cncern Be it known that we,` Aimar and CLYDn the United States, and both' residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementy in Motor-Trucks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide with effective and automatically` operating controlling means. lVe accomplish this by connecting the brake and a controlling device with movable platforms on'which the operator may stand and which are caused automatically to rise when relievedy of weight. Thus .the brake is automatically applied 'when the operator removes his weight from one lof the platforms,

CHARLES E. F.

nected when his weight is removed from the other platform.

A further object of our invention is to adapt such controlling system to acdouble ended motor truck: that is, a truck adapted to'run forward in either direction, as, for example, a baggagetruck.

Our invention is well adapted for embodiment in an electric motor truck, though not. confined thereto.

Oury invention includes the platform control of the vehicle and also the double ended embodiment, as hereinafter more fully explained anddenitely set out in the claims.

ln' the' drawings, Figure l is a sectional embodying' our invention;

F 2 and 3 are vertical longitudinal sec- A-tious of the same, as indicated by the lines 2-2 and SFS on Fig. 1; Figs. 4 to 7 inviews of various rocking members which engage the plat forms and are controlled thereby; Fig. 8 is a. front elevation ofthe truck; Figi 9 is a detail in sectionacro'ss adjacent platforms, as indicated by the line 9-9 in Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a detail, in vertical section, through the controllen-centering spring. ai.

The truck sho-wn in the drawing is an electric truck of the drop frame type shown and claimed in Patent No. 993,823, granted May 30, 1911, to Tracy V. Buckwalter. Such drop A:rainehas a bottom portion `or beams 10, and housings 11 and 12 near the ends in 'which E.' COCHRAN, citizens of are mounted theA wheels 1 3, axle frames, driving and controlling mechanism, brakes, batteries, etc. The wheels are shown in Fig, S as connected with vaxles from the axle frame-15 and as having interfnal gears 1G which mesh with driving pin-- ions 17, by which the machine is driven.

The lpinions are on the ends of driving shafts which are contained Within a suitable housing 18 and are driven by a suitable motor, notJ shown. It is to be understood that the construction lso lfar described is chosen as illustrative, but may be varied, as may be desired.

Suitably secured to the frame, near one end, is the controller 9.0. The controller may be of the type shown, described and claimed in the` application of Clyde E. Cochran (one of the present inventors) `tiled concurrently herewith; or, it may be of other type, asi desired. he controller is suitably carried by the frame, as by the suspending brackets 28 and 29, Fig. 8, and is provided with an operating shaft 21. Con- `necting with this shaft is a roclr arm 22,

fronr-which allink 23 leads to an intermediately pivoted controlling lever or handle Q4, By this means the handle may rockthe shaft and controll the vehicle from that end.

,To control the vehicle from the other endg I mount on the other end of the shaft 2l a *rock arm 25,- which is shown 4as connected by a suitable system of links and levers with the controller handle 27 onthe other end ot' the-vehicle. and levers, includes the link 30, rocking member 31, lin-k 32, lever 33, link 31k, lever 35, link 36, bellcrank 37, and link 38, the latter connecting with the 27, which is shown as pivoted at 39. For convenience of illustration, we have shown two controlling handles '2.4 and 27, but it is yto be understoodthat, in practice, a single interchangeable handle will be employed, and such removable handle may enter sock# ets, as illustrated in Fig. 3, or be otherwise connected with the controlling linkage.

The controller is designed to have a midosition of rest, or off position, and when the'barrel is turned in one direction therefrom the current is connected to propel the vehicle forwardly, While, when the-barrel is turned in the opposite direction the vehicle is propelled rearwardly. To give thereonrateatedaug.12,1913.

Such system of linksl controller leven troller shafta tendency to automatically return to off, position, I provide-a spring 40 which. acts` on arod 11 connected wltlfA I the arm 22 and tends Vto return that arm to its mid-position.l 'This is easily accomplished by mountingfthe spring in ayoke 42, which is pivotally connected at 43 with the truck frame, thel rod having a shoulder adapted to push downwardly on a washer which engages'the upper endof the spring and presses it downwardly when the rod is moved downwardly, and having also a shoulder adapted to push upwardly on a washer 45 which engages the lower end of 4the spring and presses it upwardly when the ,rod is' moved upwardly. From the above description, it will be understood that'we have a controller with contact plate and fingers so arranged that, when the barrel is .turned in one direction from the off position, the vehicle is driven ahead, and when turned inv the opposite di rection the vehicle is driven rearwardly.

" with referenceto that end.

The system of links and levers connecting -the two handles 24 and 27 which control the vhandle at each endwould be reversing the controller and driving the vehicle backward The,v controller being effectively s operated L by raising or lowering thelever at either end of the vehicle byan attendant standing on a suitable platform, we have found it veryconvenient to arrange the `brake to be applied according to the attendants' position or weight on the platform. To this end we supply, at each. end of the vehicle, two platfroms side by side, one of which controls the brake. When.- the operator stands with i one foot ou each platform, the vehicle-is in running order, but when his weight is shifted from the brake-controlling platform, lthe brake is automatically applied.- We will now describe this brake applying mechanism.

Any suitableform of brake is used. Asl shown in Fig. 2, there'areva pair of brake shoes 50 and 51 pivoted together `at 52 and adapted to be forced apart within the brake drum 54, which is rotatable with the driving mechanism. Such forcing apart of the shoes is accomplished by rocking a block 56, which is .connected with a rock arm 57, which is connected by the link 58 with a. bell crank 59, lfrom which a link 60 leads to a rock arm 61, which is sleeved on the transverse shaft 67, on 'whichthe platforms at thatend are hinged. The brake-applying the sleeve 62 has an arm 63 extendingkbeneath this platform. A spring 64 acting at a suitable point, tends to rock the-arm 57 in the direction toapply the brake, while the platform 65, when down, b'ydeason of its `holding down the rock-'arm 63, prevents the application of the brake.. Now, whenever the weight is removedA from the platform 65 'A link 74,' which connects with` a rock arm 75 -I on a sleeve 76,'-wliich is on the rod or'shaft 77 of the platform .66 and has a rock arm` 78 lying beneath that platform.- From this v it results that, whenever the' platforms' 65 and 66 are raising to release th rock arms 63 or 78, the brake is applied bythe spring 64. When, however, either platform is down, the brake is held out of action thereby. Accordingly, in running, the operator simply controls-the braking by raising his.l

foot from the .platforml 65 or 66;V that is raising the right foot in each ease, assuming that the operator stands with his back to the vehicle, facing forwardly. 'This system of control is extremely simple and leaves the operators right hand `free for steering. Furthermore, should the operator leavethe' vehicle, the brake would be automatically applied by `the raising -of the platforms 65 or 66. As the controller automatically goes to off position, this would effectively stop vthe vehicle.- '1

To insure against accident in case the operator should leave the vehicle and the controller thereafter be turnedon by some" unauthorized person, or, in case the controller handle should become jammed against something and not go Vto off position automatically, we provide an automatically' opened switch in the'controller. circuit, operatedby thel raising o-f that platform on which the operators left leg normally bears.

In accomplishing. the. ldesired result, we connect the supplemental switch i (not shown, butlwhichmay 'be of anysuitable form) in the controllercasing with a link 80, so that, when the link is raised, the switch isop'en. This link is connected 'at its lower en d with a bell-crank 81, vwith `which connects'a link .82, the other end of which is connected with a rock arm 83 on `a sleeve 84 having an arm A88 'extending be-A neath the platformf85. The bell crank 81 is also connected with a rod 90, adjustable by the turn, buckle 91 and connected at its platform at this end isdesignated 65 and other .end vwith therocking arm'92 and the stationary tem of links shown 1s held in the position Aappearing in Fig. 3 andthe supplemental contact 1s thus closed.

Simple and effective forms of the various I rocking members, to enable the systems yof mounted on the rodA links and the platforms to -cooperate as eX- plained, .are shown in Figsa to 7 inclusive. Fig. 4 represents the rocking 'member mounted on the shaft 67 and connecting the platform G5 withthe brake system of linkage. Fig.' 5 shows the rocking' member y 77 which connects the controller system with' the platform 86.' Fig. 6 shows the rocking member mounted on the shaft 67 and connccting'the controller system 'with the platform 85; andl Fig. 7

` ,shows the rocking member mounted on the shaft 77 and connecting the brake system With the platform 66. By means for these rocking devices, we are able to conveniently connect the brake rod andthe controllerl rod, both of which are shown as mounted on the same side of the truck-frame With thev two platforms, right and left',""f at''the two ends of the vehicle.

1We provide the two brake platforms 65 and G6 with laterally projecting lips 69 which lips 'GS-projecting 'from the platform 85 or *86, so that, whenever the brake plaform is -held down, the controller platform is automatically held down thereby, andthere is no .possibility of the controller platform rising to shut off the power when the attendant is standing on the brake platform. This enables the attendant to stand entirely on the brake platform, which is on the side where the steering lever is. should conditions make it desirable to do ln order that the holding` ldown of the platform at either end of the vehicle shall automatically h-old up the platform at.thev opposite end, we provide a chain 104 connecting the platforms (S5-and S6 and passing over suitable pulleys 1.05, anda chain 106 passing across pulleys 107 and connecting the platforms 85 and GG. When the platforms at both ends of the vehicle are unoccupied, the springs G4 and 98 shove the platforms G5 and 85 upwardly intoi a diagonal position, and thereupon the platforms G0 and SG, having their chains slackened` drop by gravi-ty .into a corresponding position.

overhang corresponding portant to be able to brake, mechanism adapted te ln this position, the brake is applied, and the supplemental switch of the controller is in the open position. Now when the attendant steps on the .platformsat one end, these go down by his weight \and the corresponding platforms, at the other end, are

raisedinto more nearly inaccessible position by means of the chains.l vlf the attendant steps on both yplatforms at one end. or o'n the 'brake applying' platform alone, such movement releases the brake andj also closes the supplemental controller contact so .that the vehicleis in position for running.

However, if he 'steps only onA the controller platform, he closes the supplemental contact, but leaves the brake applied. Then he is in a position to release the ln'ake-to asl great or little extent as desired, by raising the right foot, and to properly direct the current by operating the controller handle. Our system o-f platf-orm control is admirablyv adaptedfor baggage trucks adapted to run on station platformsv where it is nn accurately and quickly control the truck, ahd i moreover. where means must be provided to prevent tampering or accident, because the attendant frequently leaves -the platforms to assist in loading or unloading the baggage. Our trucks, moreover, are adapted to be operated by an ordinary baggage man not having special skill in handling motor vehicles.

Having thus described our invention, whatwe claimis:

r l. In a vehicle, the combination of a hold-the brake in idle position and including pivotetil platform adapted torest on said` rock arm or be free therefrom, whereby the platformA may be turned to idlev position without unduly spring acting on the mechanism and adapted to apply the brake when the platform re leases the arm.

2. The combination, in a vehicle, of a brake` platforms at the opposite ends of the vehicle` mechanism connecting the brake with the two platforms, and means fo-r con necting the two platforms together so that the depression of one platform raises the other.

3. ln a vehicle, the combination of ay brake, means tending to apply it, mechanism to hold the brake out of application,

'and a movable platform at cachend of the vehicle adapted when depressed to vact on said mechanism to hold the brake inidle po sition, and a connection between said plata rock arm` ay rocking the shaft, and a forms adapted to raise one .when the other is .p

depressed.

4.111 a vehicle, brake, a spring for applying it, mechanism to hold the brake out of application, and a hinged platform at each end of the vehicle adapted when depressed to acton-said mechthc combination of af anism to hold the brake in idle position with the spring constrained and tending ,.both to raise the platform and apply the brake, and

a connectionlbetween said platforms raising one when'the other is depressed. l

5. In a double ended lmotor truck, v.the combination, with the frame, of a platform hinged. at each end of the truck, Connecting chains between the two platforms whereby when either platform is folded down the other is thereby elevated, a brake, connecting mechanism between the same and the two platforms, whereby the depression of 25. spring tending to apply the brake when reingvmechanism, of a brake, a controller, two.

leased by` the platform, a controller and two operating means therefor located respectively at :the opposite ends of the vehicle and acr cessible to an attendant standing 011 the corresponding platform. l

7. 'In a motor vehicle, the combination,

with the wheels and frame' and driving mechanism, of a brake, a controller and Vtwo platforms, means tending to raise said platforms, mechanism lconnected with-one platform for applying the `brake when the platform rises, and mechanism connected with theother platform for controlling fthe controller.

8. In an electric moto-r truck, the combination, with the wheels 'and frame and drivplatforms side by side at the end of the truckadap'ted to support a standing attendant, means tending to raise said platforms, mechanism connected with one platform for i applying the brake whenthe platform rises,

and mechanism connected with the other platform for controlling the circuit when the platform rises.

' 9. The combination, in a motor vehicle,

of a controller, a brake, a pair of platforms side by side, mechanism tending to applyl the brake and adapted to be held in idle position bythe depression of one of the plat-- forms, andmechanism tending to open the controller circuit and adapted toA be held in idle position by' the depression of one of the platforms, and mechanism tending to open the controller circuit and 'adapted to be held in idle position by the depression of 4the other platform.

10. .In a motor vehicle2 the combination,

with the wheels and driving mechanism,v of

a brake and a co-ntroller, a pair of'platforms ,side by side at the end of the vehicle, mechanismtendingto apply the brake, connections between, said mechanism Vand one ofv the platforms, whereby when the Weight is taken :o-fuof.theplatformA the brake is ap plied,aisupplemental switch and connecting mechanism between it and the other-platform whereby the switch is opened when that platform is allowed to rise.

11. The combination,` in a motor vehicle,-`

of a controller, a brake, a pair of platforms A side by side and either adapted to support the weight of an attendant, a connection between one platform andthe brake, a connection between the other and the controller, a

connection betwe'en the two platforms making one dependent on the'other while leaving' the latter free from the former, and means tending to raise the two platforms.

- 12. The combination, in a motor vehicle, of a controller, a brake, a pair of platforms side by side, mechanism tendingto apply the brake and adapted to be held in idle position by the depression of one oftheplatforms, mechanism tending to open the controller circuit and adapted to be held in idle position by the depression of the other platform, and a connection between the two` platforms enabling the brake applying platform to rise without the raising of the circuitcontrolling platform but compelling thebrake applying platform to rise when the circuit-controlling platform rises.

13. In an electric motor vehicle, the com bination, with an electric controller for the driving mechanism and a brake therefor, of a pair of platforms side by side at t-he forward end of the vehicle and adapted to supportthe weight of the attendant,'a con'-' troller lever accessible to the attendant while on the platform, mechanism for applying the brake, aspring tending to actuate said mechanism," mechanism -for holdingthe brakeout of action and adapted to engage and coact with one of the platforms, .a

switch in the controller circuit, mechanism connecting it with the otherV platform, and a spring tending to actuate it when the other platform is raised, whereby the raising of one platform applies the brake and the raising of both platforms applies both the brake and opens the switch.

14. In a motor truck, the combination, with a frame, ofmovable platforms at each end of the truck, a controller, manual mechanism from each end of the truck connected with the controller for operating 'the same,

an automatic switch 'for opening the controller connected with a platform at each end and adapted to be closed when either of 4 such platforms is depressed, and means 0perating by the other platform at each end for applying the brake.

15. In a vmotor truck, the combination,

' with a frame, of movable Y vby the other platform at each end for applying the brake,

and means connecting the brake platform at each end with the con troller platform at the other, whereby when the platforms at onevlend are depressed those at the other` end are elevated.

16. In a vehicle, the combination, with a brake adjacentto one end of the vehicle, a platform, at that end, a platform at the opposite end, mechanismv for applying the brake, connections between such mechanism and each of the platforms, whereby either platform when depressed may hold Ithe brakes in idle position, and a support for the operator adjacent to each platform.

17. In a vehicle, the combination, with a brakeadjacent to oneend of the vehicle, a platform atvthat end, a platform at the oppo'sit'e` end, mechanism for vapplying the brake, connections between such mechanism i and each of the platforms, whereby. either i in platform when depressed mayj-hold the brakes in idle position, and` anadditionaf platform at cachend of the vehicle adjacent the platform first mentioned, acontroller adjacent'to `one end of ythe vehicle, connectmechanism between .the same and each additional platform, wherebyl the raising of the first-mentioned platform may apply the brake andthe raising 'of the additional platmechanism 'includ form'may effect the control. A

18. The combination, of a motor vehicle, a brake and a oontrollerthereon, a pair of platforms side by side at 'the end of the. vehicle hinged on a cross rod, a spring tending'to apply the brake, a spring tending to open a switch on the controller, mechanism for holding .the switch closed andthe brake said ing rocking members on the said cross rod having arms engaging the under sides of the respective platforms.

19. The combination, of a motor vehicle, a brake and a controller thereon, a pair of platforms side by side at vthe end ofthe vehicle hinged on a cross rod, mechanism for holding the controllerv idle and the brake applied, said `mechanism including rockingv members on the said crossrod having arms Y engaging the under sides of the respective.

platforms, and a lipl on the brake applying platform overlapping the controller plat-v form.

a brake and a controller thereon, a paiil o movable platforms side by of the vehicle, a spring tending to apply the brake, a spring tending to open a switch on rthe controller,

switch` closed and the brake applied in opmechanism for holding the position to said springs, said mechanism including rocking members having arms ycn- 20.Y The combination of'a motor vehicle,

side at one endA gaging the under .sides of the respective platforms, corresponding movable platforms at the opposite end of the vehicle,

and mechanism connecting the same with the brake and the switch mechanisms.

21. The combination in an electric truck, of a running frame, a brake and a'controller thereon, a pair of vplatforms side by side at one'lend of the truck, hinged on a cross rod, a'spring tending to apply the brake, a spring tending to open a'switch on the controller, mechanism for holding Athe switch closed and the brake applied in opposition to said springs, said mechanism including rocking members on the said cross rod having arms engaging the under side platforms, correspondingly hinged platforms at the opposite end of the truck, links extending through the 'base o f the truck and connecting such platforms with the brake and switchl mechanisms', mechanism connecting theA platforms at one end of the triickwith those at the other end, and means accessible at each end of the truck for operating the controller.

Intestimony whereof, we hereunto affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H; BATES, BRENNAN B. WEST.

of therespective 

